Job Description Templates: Attract the Right Talent

Do you feel like you need to reinvent the wheel every single time you write a new job description for an open role?

Or maybe you have the opposite problem and find yourself repurposing the same uninspiring job description template over and over again — only to end up with a posting that feels totally bland, stiff, and like it fails to capture your company’s unique brand and personality? 

Understanding how to write job descriptions that are packed with information while still being appealing is a balancing act. Fortunately, with detailed breakdowns, templates, examples, and helpful tips, this guide gives you everything you need to know to write job postings that will help you find the best matches for your open roles. 

What is a job description?

A job description is a detailed explanation of what an employer is looking for in a candidate. It includes an overview of the position as well as the skills, experiences, and qualifications that are required to do that job.

Some employers choose to pull together lengthy descriptions that highlight not only the job itself but also the history of the company, elements of their culture, and the most attractive perks of working there. Others keep their descriptions more straightforward and focused solely on the position. 

In either case, job descriptions are typically written by the human resources team. But, while HR might steer the process, creating the most accurate description is almost always a collaborative effort. Human resources will work closely with people who are intimately familiar with the position — such as direct supervisors, colleagues, and employees who currently fill similar roles — to get a solid grasp on everything the job entails.

Why are job descriptions important?

Let’s face it — most people won’t agree to a job if they have no idea what’s involved. Job descriptions give people (specifically interested candidates) a basic understanding of a role and an employer.

Job descriptions are powerful tools in the recruitment and hiring process, and they can go well beyond arming people with the nuts and bolts of an opportunity. When they’re done well, job descriptions offer the following benefits. 

Attract top-quality candidates

Your goal in posting an open role is to find a job candidate who’s the best match. Your job description gives applicants a clear idea of what they’d be responsible for and what qualities they need to thrive in that position.

That information helps interested jobseekers understand not only if a position is the right fit for them, but also if they’re the right fit for the job. In The Muse’s 2018 user survey, 55% of candidates said the job description was among the most helpful things when deciding if a company was the right fit for them. 

Align expectations

People enter the hiring process with different perceptions and expectations. Operating with only assumptions can lead to disappointment and frustration later down the line. For example, a candidate might assume that you’ll allow full-time remote work only to discover much later that you require people to be in the office part of the week.

When you give as much information as possible upfront, you and potential candidates are able to move to the next steps with a shared understanding.

Reduce turnover

The risk for turnover is highest with new employees. In fact, almost 40% of turnover happens within the worker’s first year with an organization — sometimes it even happens during employee onboarding.

That’s why it’s so important to use your job description to give people more realistic expectations for their roles and your company overall. That saves them from feeling like they were bait-and-switched. 

Streamline the hiring process

The hiring process can be daunting — not just for applicants, but for your internal team, too. By including plenty of relevant information directly in your job description, you can reduce the burden on your recruiters or hiring managers. They don’t have to spend time covering the basics over and over again and can instead dedicate their time and energy to what matters most: finding high-quality candidates. 

Figuring out how to write job descriptions that provide the most pertinent information in a compelling way requires a little more upfront effort than jotting down a few quick bullet points. But it’s well worth it for the time and stress you’ll save later in the hiring process — and even once a new employee is officially onboarded. 

What are the components of a good job description?

You have some flexibility in deciding what you want to include in your job description. Some people use their descriptions as marketing tools, which means they include things like a thorough company description and employee testimonials.

Regardless of how in-depth you want to go, you should be prepared to include several basic details in any job description. These include:

• Position summary
• Job responsibilities
• Qualifications and required skills
• Salary, benefits, and perks

Let’s take a look at each of these elements in more detail. 

Position summary

Think of this like the elevator pitch for the open job. It gives a high-level overview of the role you’re hiring for before you get into the more specific responsibilities, qualifications, and skills. This section is intended to arm people with a general understanding of what you’re looking for without having to wade through all of the details. 

Job description template: Position summary

Our [adjective] and [adjective] team is looking for a [position title] with a background in [industry or skill] to [task].

This person will be responsible for [key responsibility]. The ideal candidate will have at least [number] years of experience in [role or skill], as well as knowledge of [area]. 

Position summary example

Our high-energy and collaborative team is looking for a content marketer with a background in journalism, sales, and marketing to create high-quality content for our CompanyXYZ blog.

This person will be responsible for developing a content calendar and executing articles that engage our target audience but are also optimized for search. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience as a writer, as well as knowledge of sales and marketing tactics.

Job responsibilities

In this section, you’ll get a little more into the nitty-gritty of the actual work someone will do in that role. What types of tasks will they handle? Who will they collaborate with? What will their typical day look like?

While you don’t need to cover every single possible assignment that could potentially come up, it’s helpful to spend time providing enough details here so people can get a solid grasp on what they’d actually be doing. 

Job description template: Job responsibilities

The [position title] will be responsible for [biggest responsibility] that [result].

Responsibilities: 

• [Responsibility]
• [Responsibility]
• [Responsibility]

Job responsibilities example

The content writer will be responsible for identifying, creating, and writing content that attracts and educates our target audience.

Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate closely with the content manager to develop and maintain a content calendar
• Write blog posts on a wide range of topics related to the healthcare industry
• Generate social media posts and captions to inform and educate our audience on the latest news in healthcare
• Write copy as needed for our monthly newsletter, landing pages, or other branded assets
• Edit content created by freelancers and other team members to fit our brand voice and style guide
• Work closely with editors to coordinate coverage for events or product releases as needed

Qualifications and required skills

You’ve covered what a candidate will do in that open position — but what do they need to possess to be successful at it? In this section, you’ll spell out the education, background, and skills you’re looking for to fill that job. 

Job description template: Qualifications and required skills

Our ideal candidate is [adjective], [adjective], and [adjective]. We’re looking for someone with the ability to [task, trait, or qualification] as well as [task, trait, or qualification]. 

Requirements:

• [Requirement]
• [Requirement]
• [Requirement]

Qualifications and required skills example

Our ideal candidate is efficient, organized, collaborative, and creative. We’re looking for someone with the ability to identify content inspiration as well as juggle multiple projects.

Requirements: 

• Minimum one year as a professional writer or journalist, ideally with a focus on the healthcare industry
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in a CMS 

Salary, benefits, and perks

You’ve explained what you’re looking for — now you need to give candidates the information that they’re looking for. From the salary range to any other enticing perks, this section is where you spell out everything they’ll get out of a job with your company. 

While you could keep this section simple with a bulleted list, it’s in your best interest to use this portion more as a sales tool. Think of it as your chance to sell interested candidates on the benefits of working for you. 

Job description template: Salary, benefits, and perks

We offer a competitive salary of [amount] to [amount] per year, based on experience and qualifications.

We also offer a range of benefits and perks to help you stay healthy, happy, and productive. These include [benefit or perk], [benefit or perk], and [benefit or perk].

We also offer [benefit or perk], as well as [benefit or perk]. At [Company], we don’t only care about you as a professional, but as a person. These benefits are designed to support your overall well-being and help you succeed in your role. 

We are committed to [company mission or value], and we value [value] and [value]. If you are passionate about [skill or area] and want to join a [adjective] team, we encourage you to apply for this position. 

Salary, benefits, and perks example

We offer a competitive salary of $55,000 to $75,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications.

We also offer a range of benefits and perks to help you stay healthy, happy, and productive. These include flexible schedules to help you balance your work and personal life, the option to work remotely, and a free MacBook to help you stay connected.

We also offer a 401k plan with company match, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance. At CompanyXYZ, we don’t only care about you as a professional, but as a person. These benefits are designed to support your overall well-being and help you succeed in your role.

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment, and we value diversity and collaboration. If you are passionate about writing and want to join a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply for this position.

Use this sample job description template to write your own

Looking for a job description template so that you can fill in the blanks and customize your details? We’ve pulled the above sections into one easy-to-use template right here: 

How to write a job description: 5 must-know tips

The above sections and job description template will help you understand the typical job description format and get your first draft nailed down. But as you pull together your own details, here are a few more important best practices to keep in mind. 

1. Use inclusive language

You want to attract a diverse pool of candidates. To do so, you need to be mindful of the language that you use.

For example, one classic study from the universities of Waterloo, Duke, and Princeton determined that job descriptions with “masculine” language deterred women from even applying to those jobs. A few of those masculine-coded words and phrases included: 

• Aggressive
• Fearless
• Self-sufficient

It’s also worth thinking about the language you use to describe the responsibilities of the job. Do you actually need a candidate to be able to communicate with clients on the phone (which could be difficult for someone with hearing impairment) or do they simply need to be able to communicate with clients effectively? 

2. Think carefully about your requirements

Similarly to the above, being super-selective about the requirements and qualifications you list in the job description is another chance to be as inclusive as possible.

While you might think this section exists for you to design your dream candidate, it’s smarter to be more focused and zone in on only the most crucial traits and experiences someone needs to fill that role. Here are a few sample questions to ask yourself:

• Do you actually need someone to have a bachelor’s degree? Or would hands-on experience suffice just as well?
• Do you need to list a cap on years of experience, which could deter older candidates? Or can you simply list a minimum?
• Do you need all of those skills right away? Or will some of them be learned on the job? 

This more open-minded approach prevents qualified and diverse candidates from unnecessarily ruling themselves out. When women are 16% less likely than men to apply for a job after viewing it, even seemingly small changes can go a long way in making your job descriptions and your overall hiring process more supportive and inclusive. 

3. Be transparent about money

Sure, things like perks and company culture matter. But ultimately, people take jobs because they need one important thing: money. A recent poll from the American Staffing Association found that the salary is the most important factor for jobseekers — even above flexible hours and other benefits. 

So why do employers keep that key piece of information under wraps for so long? While it can be nerve-racking and even feel a little taboo to be upfront about pay, it’s the single most crucial thing candidates need to know when deciding if your open role is the right fit for them. 

Several states — including California, Colorado, and Connecticut — require companies to include salary ranges in their job postings. More locations are likely to pass similar requirements soon. 

Even if it isn’t required, it’s still a helpful detail to include. You might worry that listing the salary range will eliminate candidates right off the bat. But is it really better to have them go through the entire hiring process only to realize that your financial expectations aren’t aligned right at the bitter end? Definitely not — then you’ve wasted the candidate’s (not to mention your own) time. 

4. Showcase your employer brand

Your job description needs to give the overview of the position you’re hiring for — that’s the most important. But it can also be used as a marketing tool by calling attention to all of the unique attributes that make your company a great place to work.

You can accomplish this by including a few of the following ideas on the same page as your job description:

• Videos of an office tour or interviews with current employees
• Testimonials from current employees
• Links or embedded posts from your company’s social feeds

That’s not an exhaustive list, but should be enough to inspire you to think of some ways you can showcase not just what makes that job special, but what makes your entire company special.  

5. Remember to proofread

Even the best job description templates have this in common: they require proofreading. The last thing you want is to post the job only to realize you forgot to change the salary range or the job title. 

When you’ve finished your draft of a job description, set it aside for a bit before coming back to edit it. Reviewing it with fresh eyes will help you catch any errors you might’ve previously glossed over. Try reading it backwards (from the bottom up) to force your brain to focus on every single sentence.

You can also share the job description draft with other people — particularly team members who have some familiarity with that role — to ensure you aren’t making any mistakes or missing any important information. 

Write job descriptions that get the job done

Your job descriptions have, well, a big job. They need to provide accurate information about your open role, your company, and your benefits. But they also need to do so in a way that’s compelling and appealing.

It takes a little bit of effort to get it right (and the customizable job description template we included should help), but it’s well worth the effort.

Investing some thought and energy into your job descriptions will help you attract the best matches for your open positions — which will save you plenty of hassles and headaches down the line. 

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